Get Ready to Soar: Ace the 2026 Care Flight Entrance Exam!

In ACLS, lidocaine is used as an IV antiarrhythmic for ventricular arrhythmias, and the first dose should be 1-1.5 mg/kg given rapidly as a bolus. This dose quickly achieves therapeutic levels to help terminate or suppress the arrhythmia during CPR. If needed, a second dose of 0.5-0.75 mg/kg can be given every 5-10 minutes, up to a total max of 3 mg/kg. Monitor for signs of lidocaine toxicity, and use lidocaine as an option when amiodarone isn’t available or the rhythm remains refractory.